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The information and training provided by MinistrySafe Institute is not intended as legal advice or legal opinion related to specific facts, and should not be relied upon as legal counsel, or as the basis for an attorney-client relationship. Any attorney-client relationship must be confirmed in writing.

Courses / Curriculum

All MinistrySafe Institute™ coursework will be delivered through an online dashboard. MinistrySafe Institute™ was developed in partnership with Dallas Theological Seminary to ensure the quality, consistency and in-depth analysis ministry leaders have come to expect from this internationally recognized institution of learning.

To receive Certification, trainees must complete six MinistrySafe Institute™ course modules, providing a comprehensive foundation in the prevention and appropriate handling of issues related to child sexual abuse in ministry programs.

Subject matters covered include the following topics:

Module 1: Understanding Sexual Abuse in Ministry Contexts

‘We cannot reduce a risk we don’t understand.’

This segment identifies commonly held misconceptions and provides factual information necessary to equip ministry leaders to better understand and address the risk of child sexual abuse.

Segment 1: Sexual Abuse Awareness Training

Facts about child sexual abuse and sexual abusers

Common misconceptions

Abuser characteristics

The grooming process utilized by preferential abusers

Common grooming behaviors

Legal reporting requirements

Segment 2: Peer-to-Peer Sexual Abuse

Defining peer sexual abuse

Distinguishing peer abuse from natural sexual curiosity

Imbalance of power

Locations and activities creating higher risk

Age range and gender of higher risk (aggressor)

Warning signs

Methods to reduce risk

Impact on children (long and short term)

Legal reporting requirements

Module 2: Creating an Effective Safety System

This session addresses the creation and specific elements of an effective Safety System in ministry contexts.

Segment 1: Overview of a Safety System

The system created depends on the risk presented

The effectiveness of a system is related to ‘buy-in at the top’

Segment 2: Elements of a Safety System

Sexual Abuse Awareness Training

Skillful Screening™ Processes and Training

Appropriate Criminal Background Checks

Tailored Policies and Procedures

Systems for Monitoring and Oversight

Segment 3: Creating a Safety Committee

Safety Committee tasks and composition

Training of Safety Committee members

Ongoing function of Safety Committee

Module 3: Skillful Screening™ Processes and Training

‘Skillful Screening—Keeping the Wolf out of the Sheep Pen’™

Screening job applicants and volunteers who will work or interact with children is an important responsibility for ministry leaders. Effective screening practices can limit the possibility that an applicant with inappropriate sexual motives gains access to children through ministry programs.

Ministry leaders should be cognizant of high-risk responses indicating that an applicant may be a danger to children served by the ministry.

Skillful Screening Concepts™

Elements of an effective screening process for ministry contexts

Effective use of applications, criminal background checks, references and interviews

Module 5: Allegations of Sexual Abuse—Preparation and Response Plan

Ministry leaders should be equipped with accurate information and resources before an allegation arises. Preparation involves planning—thinking through protocols that should be set in place before an allegation arises.

Segment 4: Engaging Appropriate Legal Counsel

The importance of engaging appropriate counsel

Bad advice can lead to poor results

Module 6: Legislation Related to Sexual Abuse / Changes in the Law

Litigation of civil cases, highly publicized prosecution of perpetrators and new law from state legislatures are changing the landscape concerning preventative measures and standards of care impacting ministry programs. Ministry leaders should be aware of existing laws, new legislative requirements, and trends aimed at preventing sexual abuse.

Additional Coursework

A Model of Care

Child sexual abuse is an issue impacting every ministry, whether abuse occurred within the ministry or an allegation originated from ‘outside’. This session outlines an appropriate model of care for abuse survivors in ministry contexts, including adult survivors of past sexual abuse.

Segment 1: Addressing Child Sexual Abuse in Ministry Contexts

Actions to take if a child reports abuse

Emotional, physical, and behavioral warning signs

Impact on children

How to care for survivors

Segment 2: Model of Care

Common mistakes and poor responses to child sexual abuse in ministry contexts

Impact of poor responses to the abuse survivor

Resources for care of abuse survivors

Effective use and limitations of church-based counseling programs

Effective use of professional counseling resources

Communication with the abuse victim and the victim’s family

Meeting the emotional and spiritual needs of the child or adult survivor

Addressing the emotional needs of the family or friends of the victim

Providing a venue for the emotions encountered by ministry co-workers

Camp and Conference Center Training

Child sexual abuse is an issue impacting every Christian camp. The risk is high; the cost of ignoring the risk is catastrophic, and sometimes mission-killing.